November 11, 2010

Content

Big Twitter brouhaha over Amazon.com's decision to sell a book in its e-store called "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child Lover's Code of Conduct." Seriously. This is not a joke.

I found out about the sale of the book from two women I follow on Twitter. After checking it out and reading what the author had to say about the book, I was appalled that Amazon would offer this book for sale. The #amazonfail hashtag was running rampant. Boycott Amazon.com facebook groups popped up ... totaling more than 10,000 fans.

People called & email Amazon. Major news outlets picked up the story. Here's Amazon's initial statement:

Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable...however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions. (reported by AolNews)

The challenge? This statement is in direct conflict of Amazon.com's own guidelines:

Publishers are expected to conduct proper research to ensure that the Titles sold through the Digital Text Platform Program are in compliance with all local, state, national, and international laws. If Amazon Digital Services, Inc. determines that the content of a Title is prohibited, we may summarily remove or alter it without returning any fees. Amazon Digital Services, Inc. reserves the right to make judgments about whether or not content is appropriate. (Read full guidelines HERE.)

Um, I'm pretty sure that fondling a child is against the law in every state in the U.S. Don't you?

So, on this topic, we're not talking about protected free speech. According to those who have read the book (I have not), this is a how-to manual that gives explicit advice on skirting laws and encouraging adult-child sexual activity. Children are to be protected from adults who want to abuse them. Whether this book qualifies as protected free speech is a question for the legal community.

Interestingly, Amazon.com has issued no statement since pulling the book sometime last night after freely defending its decision to offer the book for sale earlier in the day, as well as allowing the author to publish the book through the company's Digital Text Platform. As a PR practitioner, I wonder when they will. This will make an interesing case study on crisis communications.

It appears that Amazon broke no laws in publishing or offering the book for sale. It is a private company and can certainly can sell this book should it choose to do so. However, the public can vote with its wallet and use response speech to decide to spend its money elsewhere - there are consequences to free speech that we all need to understand. In a commercial or retail environment, this is where money comes into play. I think it is the very real impact of a possible boycott from consumers (especially at the holidays) that led Amazon to do a complete 180 without explanation.

Comments

Big Twitter brouhaha over Amazon.com's decision to sell a book in its e-store called "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child Lover's Code of Conduct." Seriously. This is not a joke.

I found out about the sale of the book from two women I follow on Twitter. After checking it out and reading what the author had to say about the book, I was appalled that Amazon would offer this book for sale. The #amazonfail hashtag was running rampant. Boycott Amazon.com facebook groups popped up ... totaling more than 10,000 fans.

People called & email Amazon. Major news outlets picked up the story. Here's Amazon's initial statement:

Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable...however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions. (reported by AolNews)

The challenge? This statement is in direct conflict of Amazon.com's own guidelines:

Publishers are expected to conduct proper research to ensure that the Titles sold through the Digital Text Platform Program are in compliance with all local, state, national, and international laws. If Amazon Digital Services, Inc. determines that the content of a Title is prohibited, we may summarily remove or alter it without returning any fees. Amazon Digital Services, Inc. reserves the right to make judgments about whether or not content is appropriate. (Read full guidelines HERE.)

Um, I'm pretty sure that fondling a child is against the law in every state in the U.S. Don't you?

So, on this topic, we're not talking about protected free speech. According to those who have read the book (I have not), this is a how-to manual that gives explicit advice on skirting laws and encouraging adult-child sexual activity. Children are to be protected from adults who want to abuse them. Whether this book qualifies as protected free speech is a question for the legal community.

Interestingly, Amazon.com has issued no statement since pulling the book sometime last night after freely defending its decision to offer the book for sale earlier in the day, as well as allowing the author to publish the book through the company's Digital Text Platform. As a PR practitioner, I wonder when they will. This will make an interesing case study on crisis communications.

It appears that Amazon broke no laws in publishing or offering the book for sale. It is a private company and can certainly can sell this book should it choose to do so. However, the public can vote with its wallet and use response speech to decide to spend its money elsewhere - there are consequences to free speech that we all need to understand. In a commercial or retail environment, this is where money comes into play. I think it is the very real impact of a possible boycott from consumers (especially at the holidays) that led Amazon to do a complete 180 without explanation.